In the medical field, IC hardware is driving the development of precision medicine and smart healthcare. In medical imaging equipment (such as CT and MRI), signal processing ICs can quickly collect and process imaging data, improving image clarity and diagnostic accuracy. Sensor ICs and micro-control ICs in smart medical devices (such as wearable health monitoring devices and portable diagnostic equipment) can collect physiological data (such as ECG and blood glucose) in real-time and conduct preliminary analysis, assisting in disease diagnosis and health management. Meanwhile, communication ICs in medical equipment support data networking, facilitating the sharing of medical data and the provision of telemedicine services.
In medical imaging equipment, the signal processing chip of CT equipment is crucial. The high-performance signal processing chip in GE's CT equipment can quickly collect and process the attenuation signals of X-rays after passing through the human body, converting them into clear internal images of the human body. With high sensitivity and fast computing speed, this chip can complete multi-level, high-resolution image acquisition in a short time, assisting doctors in diagnosing diseases such as tumors and fractures. The radio frequency chip of MRI equipment can transmit and receive radio frequency signals of specific frequencies to excite the resonance of hydrogen nuclei in the human body, and then the signal processing chip converts them into images. For example, the radio frequency chip in Siemens' MRI equipment precisely controls the radio frequency pulse sequence to ensure imaging quality, contributing to the diagnosis of neurological diseases and soft tissue lesions.
In portable diagnostic equipment, the blood glucose detection chip of a blood glucose meter can measure blood glucose quickly and accurately. In Abbott's FreeStyle Libre blood glucose meter, the biosensor cooperates with the signal processing chip, enabling continuous blood glucose monitoring by attaching it to the arm. The detection chip converts the electrical signal generated by the reaction between glucose and biological enzymes into a numerical value, making it convenient for diabetic patients to manage their condition. The heart rate detection chip in wearable health devices (such as smart bracelets) adopts photoplethysmography (PPG) technology to collect heart rate data in real-time. The heart rate detection chip in Huawei's smart bracelet can accurately capture the changes in light caused by vascular pulsation, convert them into heart rate values, and can also identify arrhythmias to provide health warnings.
In telemedicine and health management, communication chips enable the transmission of medical data across regions. The Bluetooth and 5G communication chips in medical equipment can transmit patients' health data (such as ECG and blood glucose) in real-time to doctors' terminals or medical cloud platforms. Doctors can make remote diagnoses and adjust treatment plans based on the data. For example, for patients in remote areas, portable ECG monitors can transmit ECG data to experts in urban hospitals through communication chips, realizing remote diagnosis and improving the accessibility of medical services.
